Dallas Morning News breaks US media silence on Sibel Edmonds case; Serbia pledges "peaceful" resistance to Kosovo independence...

18 February :: Dallas Morning News becomes first "mainstream" or corporate-owned US media outlet to run the now partially corroborated story regarding allegations of US officials' selling nuclear secrets to foreign operatives, possibly to enemy, terrorists; DMN ran revised edition of Philip Giraldi's investigative report from The American Conservative magazine questioning the US media's role in keeping the story from public view; among the information Sibel Edmonds is allegedly prohibited from disclosing are contacts between State and Defense Dept. agents and foreign spies, involving a transfer of cash, and the sale of nuclear secrets:

Ms. Edmonds' revelations have attracted corroboration in the form of anonymous letters apparently written by FBI employees. There have been frequent reports of FBI field agents being frustrated by the premature closure of cases dealing with foreign spying, particularly when those cases involve Israel, and the State Department has frequently intervened to shut down investigations based on "sensitive foreign diplomatic relations."

Giraldi's report also states that:

Curiously, the state-secrets gag order binding Ms. Edmonds, while put in place by DOJ in 2002, was not requested by the FBI but by the State Department and Pentagon – which employed individuals she identified as being involved in criminal activities. If her allegations are frivolous, that order would scarcely seem necessary.

the scope of the allegations and the peril posed by the alleged corruption to international peace and security, US foreign policy, and American lives, can scarcely be overstated, if the details Edmonds and corroborating FBI leaks are true... Kosovo braces for Serb resistance to independence declaration; Reuters reports "Serbia's leaders pledged peaceful resistance after Kosovo's declaration of independence on Sunday, but angry protesters turned to violence in Belgrade and a Serbian stronghold in Kosovo", while Russia, China openly declare the independence move troubling, illegitimate; EU debating official policy, as western powers plan mission to help build, protect, new state... Though the original ballot measure proposing splitting California's Electoral College votes by population has been withdrawn, report suggests ballot initiative continues "full steam ahead", with aim to sway presidential election tally nationwide; California would be the only state with such a system, some aim to pressure Gov. Schwarzenegger to back a rival proposal that would commit California's electors to backing the winner of the national popular vote, a nationwide campaign that aims to end the relevance of a system some say was designed to protect slave-owners' political interests...

Harvard physicist able to 'freeze' light, manipulate, release; White House admits Bush told in August Iran may have suspended nuke program in 2003...

8 December :: Harvard physicist "Lene Vestergaard Hau can stop a pulse of light in midflight, start it up again at 0.13 miles per hour, and then make it appear in a completely different location"; laboratory achievement signals major breakthrough in understanding of physics of electromagnetic radiation, key is manipulation of a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC), where light can be slowed, even transferred via hologram to other BEC, later released; discovery could have major implications for communications, particle physics... After repeated denials, White House admits Pres. Bush was notified in August that intelligence agencies felt Iran had suspended its nuclear weapons research in 2003; since August, top officials, including Bush, have talked of gathering threat, missile strikes, possible war, and even "World War III" and "nuclear holocaust"; press secretary Dana Perino justified the bellicose rhetoric saying "The president didn't say we're going to cause World War III," Perino said. "He was saying he wanted to avoid World War III"...

NIE says no Iran nuclear weapons program, for now; calls for climate refugee assistance at Bali summit, as sea-levels rising...

4 December :: Revised US National Intelligence Estimate says Iran halted nuclear weapons program in 2003, no current work being done to pursue bomb; NIE is consensus report from 16 US intelligence agencies, current analysis contradicts White House policy, as well as 2005 NIE citing Iran's determination to build bomb; according to current NIE, Iran would require up to 8 years to finalize building of weapon, if program were restarted; report does say uranium enrichment is ongoing, apparently for civilian use; Democrats have called for White House to launch "diplomatic surge", using Reagan negotiation with USSR as example... Pressure expected to increase on White House to moderate Iran policy, amid unpopular Iraq war, wariness from powerful allies about counter-productive military intervention; TIME magazine in August published analysis warning US might be "isolated" on the issue, with close allies favoring diplomacy and IAEA process... Islanders already affected by rising sea levels call for international assistance for climate refugees; testimony from affected populations, scientists and the Europe-based Global Governance Project, at Bali conference, will push for fund to resettle climate refugees...

Skin cells may be 'programmed' to work like stem cells; Pakistan suspended from Commonwealth; Iran says it's ready to defend against attack...

23 November :: Discovery of skin-cell property that allows stem-cell behavior hope for researchers, conservative candidates; the discovery means research into curing diseases through stem-cell treatments need not be held back by ban on research that destroys human embryos, conservative candidates in US need not face criticism for opposing life-saving research... Pakistan has been suspended from the Commonwealth for not lifting emergency rule by deadline; organization is comprised of the United Kingdom, former British colonies and Mozambique, total of 53 nations and a population of over 2 billion people... Musharraf has agreed to end Sharif's forced exile to Saudi Arabia after talks with King Abdullah; not clear whether former PM deposed by general in 1999 will arrive in time to file for January election candidacy... Top Revolutionary Guards commander says Iran is "ready" to defend itself in any way necessary, if military strike is employed by "enemies" to halt its nuclear research... US dollar has hit new record lows against major currencies, nearing $1.49 to the Euro, as concerns about spreading slowdown in US economy, possible recession, take hold...

State Dept. inspector gen. recuses self from Blackwater probe, for conflict of interest; top military brass move to block VP's role in war policy...

18 November :: CNN has reported "The State Department's inspector-general announced Wednesday he would recuse himself from decisions involving security contractor Blackwater, after admitting his brother serves as an adviser to the company"... Truthdig reporting that senior military officers are moving to protect Pentagon policy against the influence of VP Cheney's office; Admiral William Fallon, who heads the U.S. Central Command, spoke out in a diplomatically worded front-page editorial in the 12 November edition of the Financial Times, warning Iran's leaders will not "come to their senses" while facing threat of "bombardment, invasion or worse" —as Conason writes—; Fallon wrote "None of this is helped by the stories that just keep going around and around and around that any day now there will be another war, which is just not where we want to go"... Worry over disappearing landscape, permanent loss of permafrost, rising temperatures, drives new rise in tourist visits to remote Alaskan wilderness; experts warn species extinction, loss of traditional ways of life, disappearance of glaciers, villages, could soon become reality...

Germany, US agree to push for diplomatic solution in Iran; Pakistan gov't says elections should be held by 9 January, chief justice still detained...

11 November :: German chancellor Angela Merkel and US pres. George W. Bush have declared their mutual intention to press for a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear ambitions; both leaders say they believe diplomacy and economic measures can be effective in persuading the Islamic republic to abandon its alleged pursuit of nuclear weapons capability; speculation of a US-backed strike on Iran had grown dramatically after Israel launched a missile strike on an alleged nuclear research facility in Syria, in September... Pakistan leader says parliamentary elections should be held by 9 January 2008, in effort to demonstrate allegiance to democratic process, as extended state of emergency continues to draw criticism; deposed chief justice remains under security forces arrest, unable to meet with opposition, associates... UK gov't refuses seriously injured soldiers who've served in Iraq and Afghanistan permission to participate in veterans Remembrance Day parade, saying serving soldiers do not technically qualify as veterans, despite 1,500 civilians marching with veterans last year, officials saying this year's ceremonies are focused on those who have served in 'recent conflicts'; critics say gov't is 'ashamed' of badly wounded young soldiers, prefers they be hidden from view...

'Real ID' national ID-card scheme may be defunct; House votes to override Bush veto of water bill...

6 November :: Privacy advocates say Real ID —a Homeland Security plan to force all US citizens to carry uniform biometric ID cards— may be finished, as DHS official reportedly indicated to officials from several states their citizens will not be penalized for the states' rejecting Real ID; 17 states have passed legislation opposing the nationalization of ID documents, concerned a centralized database would pose an unprecedented threat to privacy... State Dept. envoy Sung Kim says North Korea dismantling of nuclear facilities is "off to a good start", adding "this phase of disablement" may be complete by New Year... The US House has voted 361-54 to override a veto by Pres. Bush of its water bill, aimed at coastal restoration, transport and flood-control projects, with prominent Republicans saying "The next crisis we're facing in this country is our water...This bill is right. Let's override the president. Let's do something for America" and that the bill was "long overdue"... Resolution to impeach VP Cheney put on hold in House of Representatives; presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) proposed the resolution, and Republicans sought to bring it directly to a vote to serve Kucinich a rapid defeat, while Democratic leaders referred to the resolution to the judiciary committee, where it is expected not to be brought to a vote... Yahoo! executives face House foreign affairs committee hearing, accused of providing false information to Congress, aiding Chinese gov't jailing of reporter; China ranks in bottom 10 nations worldwide for press freedom, according to Reporters without Borders... Software to be produced by Google's Open Handset Alliance, through the Linux-based 'Android' platform, expected to be "everything you need to run a phone", meaning handset manufacturers will be forced to choose between the open platform and proprietary OS that let them limit adaptability... Alibaba.com raises $1.5 billion in IPO, leaving it with $25.7 billion in market value, after one day of trading, according to the IHT; the site is China's biggest eCommerce business, may herald new boom in Asian internet ventures...

US Senate subcommittee approves emissions cap bill; London police found guilty in shooting death of innocent man in 2005...

3 November :: Senate subcommittee approves America's Climate Security Act, legislation aimed at capping greenhouse gas emissions, now to be voted by full Environment and Public Works committee; bill touted as milestone in US climate policy; Sen. Lieberman has said it is the "Manhattan Project" for climate change that activists have long called for, bill also supported by senators from coal-rich states... London police as a group have been found guilty in the shooting death of innocent Brazilian immigrant on London Tube in 2005; no individuals have been singled out, and punishment beyond fine has been imposed... Antiwar activist faces jury trial for raising hands in "peace sign" during Congressional hearing, in which secretary of State Condoleezza Rice testified, was confronted by another activist... Mukasey nomination facing stiff opposition, even as two key Democrats express support; Pres. Bush has defended the retired judge, along with his refusal to qualify simulated drowning as a form of torture... CSM reports 13 majority-Sunni Muslim nations have declared their ambition to gain nuclear energy, just this year, likely as response to Shi'a-dominated Iran's high-profile nuclear pursuits, which some fear are weapons program in disguise... Minuteman anti-immigrant group, which includes armed militia in border states, spreading to interior states amid lack of legislation to reform immigration process; critics call group dangerous vigilante operation, while Minutemen say they are only trying to ensure that less people "break the law" by entering without papers... Reuters reporting "A federal judge on Friday approved subpoenas for Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and White House national security adviser Stephen Hadley in the case of two former pro-Israel lobbyists accused of disclosing national defense information"... Habitat for Humanity project in Los Angeles aims to build environmentally-friendly homes, as demand for low-emissions, fuel-efficient housing models on rise...

CBS reveals key fraud in Iraq WMD intel; Bhutto leaves Pakistan, rumors of martial law; crude reaches $96/barrel record high price...

2 November :: 60 Minutes reveals WMD intel fraud, Iraqi emigré known as 'Curve Ball' by spy agencies said to have lied to officials about involvement in WMD work in Iraq in order to get asylum in Germany; US later used his false claim as support for invasion of Iraq; program to air Sunday in US... Fmr PM Benazir Bhutto, touted to be hope for democracy, stability if she regains PM post, leaves country for Dubai, rumors Musharraf to decree martial law; Pakistan's Supreme Court to rule on validity of Musharraf's latest re-election to presidency, militant Islamist attacks on rise across country, including military facilities, as Musharraf steps up efforts to bring northwestern border region under central control... Crude oil trading in New York yesterday reached $96/barrel for the first time in history; prices fell slightly by the end of trading, continuous climb attributed to continuing scarcity, projected short supplies, OPEC plans not to increase production levels... Water scarcity tensions high in Australia as man watering lawn murdered by passerby who objected to his wasting water; victim was rushed to hospital after being brutally beaten during argument, but later died; he was watering lawn by hand, on officially assigned day, was within law... 29 US senators, including Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton (NY) and Chris Dodd (CT), have signed a letter warning Pres. Bush that vote labeling Iran Revolutionary Guard a terrorist group does not authorize attack on Iran; Sen. Obama (D-IL), a campaign rival of Clinton and Dodd, has said he believes the letter is too weak, that the matter requires a binding resolution from the Senate...

GAO finds terrorist watch list may target too many people; St. Bernard breed may prove Darwin's evolution; oil over $92/barrel...

26 October :: Report from Government Accountability Office (GAO) finds terrorist watch list may be targetting too many people to be effective, including 755,000 names as of May 2007, 860,000 at present; critics of the list say it threatens civil liberties, contravenes Constitutional protections; Sen. Lieberman has expressed concern about its "500 percent increase in three years", Justice Dept. inspector-general's report questions quality of data used... Scientists say study of St. Bernard skulls over 120 year period show selection in dog breeding demonstrates Darwin's theory of evolution; in case of dog breeds, human selection accelerates the process of natural selection, which would likely take longer to show evidence... US announces stiffest sanctions regime against Iran in nearly 3 decades, targeting three state banks, declaring elite Revolutionary Guard "proliferators of weapons of mass destruction" for efforts to enrich uranium, making it a crime for any US citizen to do business with any of the cited entities; Russia has already denounced the new sanctions, some fear move could be provocation, further escalate tensions; US sec. of State Condoleezza Rice said in announcing the sanctions that the US is still fully committed to a diplomatic solution... Financial firm Merrill Lynch has added $2.9 billion to its already massive write-down of losses, now totalling $7.9 billion for this quarter; the firm's revenues fell 94% against this time last year, and spokesman says firm still faces some exposure from sub-prime related accounts... Oil hits record high $92.22 in trading Friday, as falling dollar, mounting violence in Iraq, tension between Turkey, Kurds, dwindling US supplies, Iran sanctions provoke fears of further scarcity; OPEC says it has no plans to increase production at next meeting...

Rice admits US mishandled Arar case; US may have more contractors in Iraq than soldiers; UN says xenon in Canada proves 2006 DPRK nuke test...

25 October :: Sec. of State Condoleezza Rice admits to House human rights subcommittee that the US handling of the case of Maher Arar, was "by no means perfect, in fact it was quite imperfect", adding "we do absolutely not want to transfer anyone to a place where they might be tortured"; Arar is a Canadian citizen sent to Syria for interrogation where he was allegedly tortured for a year; in 2004, the Canadian government set up a commission of inquiry into the Arar case, its proceedings and fact-finding reports are available online... Reuters reports "For the first time in its history, the U.S. is fighting a war with more private contractors than military personnel. The ratio in Iraq is estimated at around 180,000 to 160,000"; escalating dependence on 'contractors' is worrying as it shows military limitations, and use of mercenaries is banned under int'l law... Iraq gov't drafting legislation to strip foreign security contractors of immunity from prosecution under Iraqi system; move would reverse decree by outgoing Coalition Provisional Authority, rule which many Iraqis blame for contractors' alleged abuses... Jim Rogers, who co-founded Quantum Fund, tells Telegraph US is "undoubtedly in recession"; consumer spending, housing market, transport costs, falling dollar undermining overall economy... UN researchers detect unusually high levels of radioactive noble gas Xenon, in northern Canada, say gas is trace evidence confirming 2006 nuclear test by DPRK; scientists said amount found suggests explosion was relatively small, and underground... Rumored deal to get Republican support for spending measures brings enough Democrat support to approve controversial judicial nominee to Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals; party leader, along with majority of Democrats, had opposed Leslie Southwick's nomination to a court that covers Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, because he's seen as weak on racial equality... Google to work with Nielson to pinpoint television viewing habits, help advertisers gather information on commercial viewing, better target ad dollars...

Iran nuclear negotiator steps down; Turkey reports raid by Kurdish rebels kills at least 9 soldiers; far-right party leads Swiss poll...

21 October :: Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, has stepped down, allegedly over differences with Pres. Ahmadinejad; Iran gov't says there is no rift among leadership, diplomats, Larijani will attend meeting with UN representatives to ease transition to new negotiator's team... At least 9 casualties reported in PKK raid on Turkish forces near Iraqi border; BBC reports deaths have spurred popular support for military incursions into Iraq to hunt Kurdish rebels; Iraq gov't says Turkish incursions would violate int'l law; observers fear Turkish cross-border raids would further destabilize Iraq... Reuters reporting US military raid on Sadr City district of Baghdad has killed 13, wounded 69, showing two toddlers among the dead; US says clashes with Mehdi militia group led to airstrikes on residential neighborhood... Chinese Communist party removes VP, two other top officials from party leadership, preparing to elevate new generation of leadership, as party conference comes to end... Far-right People's Party (SVP) appears to have won Swiss election, is predicted to take 61 of 200 seats in parliament, Green party makes strong gains; with 50% of electorate estimated to have cast ballots, SVP 'victory' may represent as little as 15% of total voting-age population, the party's 'black-sheep' campaign stoked fears of official racism... Houston Chronicle reports $90 oil is not record when adjusting for inflation, "The federal government says prices still haven't exceeded the January 1981 inflation-adjusted record of $93.09. The Paris-based International Energy Agency says the actual record was in the previous spring and is $101.70 in today's dollars"... Ségolène Royal has criticized Sarkozy's new French gov't for its "total improvisation" with regard to social policy; Sarkozy's opponent in the presidential elections, Royal also said "Driving a modern country to strike is the mark of poor government", referring to the ongoing transport strike...

Bhutto returns to Pakistan; '2nd Earth' found 20 light yrs from ours; Putin calls Iraq war 'pointless', urges 'time out' on Iran...

18 October :: Ex-PM Benazir Bhutto returns to Pakistan, is greeted by hundreds of thousands of supporters in Karachi, having traveled from across the nation, Bhutto has been in talks with Musharraf to form 'national unity' gov't, stave off ascent of radical clerics; two bombs ripped through massive crowd marching with Bhutto through Karachi, reportedly "just feet in front of" her vehicle, killing at least 115 of her supporters, injuring more than 150... April report from the Guardian newspaper listed among October's most read: 'second Earth' found, 20 light years away from our Earth, "Measurements of the planet's celestial path suggest it is 1½ times the size of our home planet, and orbits close to its sun, with a year of just 13 days. The planet's orbit brings it 14 times closer to its star than Earth is to the sun. But Gliese 581 burns at only 3,000C, half the temperature of our own sun, making conditions on the planet comfortable for life, with average ground temperatures estimated at 0 to 40C"; US, Russia have announced plans to establish permanent colonies on Moon, with even Mars requiring a 4-year journey... Russian pres. Vladimir Putin has said the US war in Iraq is a "pointless" war against the Iraqi people; he also answered questions about fmr US Sec. of State Albright's assertion that Siberia is too vast and has too many natural resources to belong to one country, calling it "political erotica" that may satisfy individual curiosity, but has no role in policy-making; Iran's state news agency has reported Putin's reason for traveling to Tehran was to personally propose a 'time out' on the nuclear question, with Iran stopping enrichment, while the UN puts off imposing sanctions... Drug-resistant MRSA 'superbug' confirmed in Staph infections across 7 states in the US, with infections suspected in 4 more states...

1st 'baby-boomer' starts collecting Social Security; Hillary's foreign policy expected to "Use both hard and soft power"...

16 October :: 1st official 'baby-boomer' begins collecting Social Security; as many as 80 million Americans from her generation will eventually collect the government pension payments... NY Times 'The Caucus' blog reports Hillary Clinton's foreign policy would "Use both hard power and soft power; talk to your enemies and strengthen alliances with your friends; deal with systemic destabilizing issues such as poverty and disease; elevate pragmatism over ideology; use international institutions such as the United Nations as tools for progress; make the military a part of comprehensive solutions, not as the solution itself; and encourage the spread of “our values” and the rule of law"; she had said in previous debates she would hesitate to engage in direct talks with hostile states... Critics complain actions like her vote to designate Iran's Revolutionary Guard a foreign "terrorist organization" makes her too hawkish, moreso even than many in current administration, could risk intensified hostilities with Iran... Putin in Iran says Caspian nations should agree "that no Caspian nation should offer its territory to third powers for use of force or military aggression against any Caspian state"; declaration comes amid mounting tensions between Iran and western powers —namely France and US—, which suspect it is illegally developing nuclear weapons... China's Communist party has said it is "furious" at the US awarding the Dalai Lama the Congressional Gold Medal; Tibet's party boss is quoted as saying "If the Dalai Lama can receive such an award, there must be no justice or good people in the world"; China has withdrawn from a planned meeting to discuss UN policy regarding Iran, as a matter of protest against the US award; Liu Jianchao, speaking for China's foreign ministry, has said the award would have "extremely serious impact" on US-China relations... Fmr US pres. Bill Clinton's Climate Initiative (CCI) is partnering with the City of Paris to overhaul energy consumption of 600 schools to make them more environmentally sustainable; the program will retrofit schools to reduce their consumption of greenhouse gases; Paris' new Climate Strategy aims to bring emissions, energy consumption to 30% below 2004 levels city-wide by the year 2020...

HRW says killing of peacekeepers in Darfur is war crime; Democrats plan to stall funding for Bush war budget...

2 October :: HRW says killing of 10 African Union peacekeepers, civilian police in Darfur is war crime, calls on Khartoum, gov't forces in region to aid investigation, punish those responsible... WSJ reports "Frustrated by the stalemate over Iraq, House Democrats spelled out a strategy that would stall action on President Bush's 2008 war budget and rely on incremental funding to sustain troop operations in until next spring"... Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Seymour Hersh has reported "intensification" of White House planning for war with Iran; according to Hersh "What had been presented primarily as a counter-proliferation mission has been reconceived as counterterrorism", with focus now shifted toward attacks on Revolutionary Guard facilities, supplies and infrastructure... Cuban doctors have reportedly provided eye surgery to the man responsible for killing Ernesto "Che" Guevara, through a program by which Cuban physicians provide eye treatment across Latin America... 'The Caucus', a NY Times blog reports "Senator Barack Obama today will propose setting a goal of eliminating all nuclear weapons in the world, saying the United States should transform its nuclear posture and dramatically reduce nuclear stockpiles to reduce the threat of nuclear terrorism"... US pending home sales index fell to record low in August, amid spreading mortgage crisis, index now 21.5% lower than just 12 months ago, 16% lower than two months ago...

Bush gives $25 million fuel aid to North Korea; Gambari to meet Suu Kyi, seek compromise in Burma; Karzai wants talks with Taliban...

30 September :: US pres. George W. Bush has approved $25 million in fuel aid for North Korea, as part of a February deal to shut down nuclear facilities, dismantle weapons and allow IAEA inspections; the Yongbyon reactor was shut down in July... Six-party talks to negotiate North Korean denuclearization have been suspended for two days, to allow six nations' negotiators to contemplate discussions to date... Tutu, Mandela's 'The Elders' initiative gathers established elder humanitarians to "speak freely, be fiercely independent and respond fast and flexibly in conflict situations", will make first formal visit to Sudan, in effort to end Darfur killing; group has said chair is left open for detained Burmese opposition leader Suu Kyi... Burmese junta has reportedly allowed UN negotiator Ibrahim Gambari to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi, opposition leader under indefinite house arrest; security forces have reportedly detained more religious and lay 'activists'; EU foreign minister Solana has said the Union is examining all possible measures that could be taken if military does not cease attacking demonstrators; military reported to be assaulting anyone with camera in streets of Rangoon... Sufi muslims celebrate 800 years since birth of mystic poet Rumi, Turkey will hold great 'dance of the whirling dervishes' to observe history of the pacifist Sufi order; the poet was "born in 1207 in Balkh in Central Asia, now part of Afghanistan", reports BBC; in Afghanistan, the Taliban attempted to eliminate Sufism by banning music, imposing fundamentalist dogma... As Afghan conflict now longer than WWI, Pres. Hamid Karzai has said he wants negotiations with the Taliban, would "go to them", may offer them position in gov't... Intense flooding over western and central Africa has hit 20 nations; Togo has made an urgent appeal for food and medical aid; the EU has promised some 2 million € to help Togo, Burkina Faso and Ghana collectively... Hundreds have gathered to protest state violence in Islamabad, used to suppress bloody riots spurred by ruling allowing Musharraf to run for president while holding control of military... UK PM Brown rumored to be considering an early election to capitalize on high poll numbers just weeks after taking power from Blair; Conservative party calls national conference to prepare for possible vote... Ecuador voting today to choose delegates to new Constituent Assembly, aimed at replacing Congress, traditional power structures...

Police fire on demonstrating monks in Rangoon; global carbon footprint 23.881 billion tons...

26 September :: Riot police in Burma (Myanmar under its military dictatorship) have fired on 10,000 Buddhist monks and pro-democracy activists protesting against totalitarian rule; US has announced new sanctions against regime, Bush denouncing "19-year reign of fear"; on Monday, 100,000 marched to support the "saffron rebellion"... Global carbon footprint at 23.881 billion tons, as of 12:00 noon GMT... Iran pres. tells UN General Assembly his gov't will ignore "arrogant" mandates from the Security Council, but will comply with IAEA supervision of its nuclear research; he accused "certain big powers" of using the Security Council "to turn a simple legal issue into a very loud, controversial, political issue"... Germany's foreign minister accuses French, American firms of doing extensive business with Iran; upcoming report will reportedly demonstrate major US firms doing business in Iran, despite sanctions imposed since 1979, via front companies in Dubai...

100,000 march for democracy in Burma; Ahmadinejad says no nukes, no war with US; Gore, Schwarzenegger push emissions protocol...

24 September :: Estimated 100,000 march in Rangoon (Yangon) to support Buddhist monks calling for end to military rule in Burma; some fear junta will impose another harsh crack-down... Iran pres. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said his nation does not need nuclear weapons and is not headed for war with US; news comes amid heightened tensions between Western powers and Teheran, over nuclear allegations, apparent French threat, upcoming UN General Assembly... Reuters reports "U.S. troop movements are being monitored by Iran using satellites and other technology and would be in range of Iranian missiles if an attack was launched, a top Iranian military official said"; Yahya Rahim Safavi, an advisor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, also said he does not expect a US strike, as Iraq is taxing its military resources... US has said it considers Syria a "natural invitee" to Mideast peace conference it will host in November, but urges all participants to renounce violence, commit to peaceful, negotiated solution that recognizes Israel... CA gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and fmr. US vice pres. Al Gore to join world leaders at climate policy summit, aimed at establishing new solutions for global emissions reductions... Pudding Media, a new VoIP venture, is planning to monitor users phone calls in order to harvest keywords and target advertising to their computer screens as they talk; some say business method is one step too far in handing private information to online service providers... The NY Times has apologized for running a political ad criticizing the Petraeus report at a discounted rate; Moveon.org, who purchased the ad has already said it will wire the difference between the "standby rate" —for "political and advocacy groups willing to be flexible about the day their ads run"— and the full rate, according to Reuters...

Israel raid on Syria turns up alleged 'nuclear-related' material; Cheney said to have "mulled" Israel strike on Iran; Merkel meets Dalai Lama...

23 September :: Sunday Times reports "Israeli commandos seized nuclear material of North Korean origin during a daring raid on a secret military site in Syria before Israel bombed it this month, according to informed sources in Washington and Jerusalem"; nuclear-related material not named, report also says Israel raid carried out with US backing... Newsweek has reported fmr. aide to US vice pres. told "a small group" Cheney was "mulling" plan to ask Israel to strike Natanz nuclear site in Iran in hopes of provoking Iranian attack on Israel, then using Iran action as justification for massive air campaign against the Islamic republic... FBI reported to be investigating neo-nazi site that calls for lynching of the young African Americans known as the "Jena Six"; activists have called for Justice Dept. to provide full security for youths, families... FBI reported to have secretly recorded Sen. Ted Stevens' conversations in corruption investigation, long before he made public information that he was being investigated... US Senate has blocked legislation that would have ordered withdrawal of most US combat troops from Iraq within 9 months; 3 Republicans voted with 44 Democrats in favor of passage, bill needed 60 votes to pass... German chancellor Angela Merkel has defied Beijing and held a private audience with the Dalai Lama; the Chinese regime considers the meeting an implicit vote of support for Tibet's independence movement, for whom the Dalai Lama has long been the most visible spokesman...

North Korea denies nuclear assistance to Syria; French FM plays down call to war with Iran...

18 September :: North Korea's gov't says rumors it provided nuclear assistance to Syria are "conspiracy" designed to prevent its normalizing relations with the US... Russia, China have raised "alarm" over comments by French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner that the nation should prepare for war with Iran; Reuters reports "Kouchner sought, however, to play down his weekend remarks, saying they were meant as a 'message of peace'"... Israel's PM Olmert has said he respects Syrian pres. Bashar al-Assad and does not rule out dialogue with Damascus; Syria accuses Israel aircraft of firing on its territory earlier this month; alleged intel leaked to press suggests Israel may seek to defend actions claiming target was facility where Syria was working on nuclear technology obtained from North Korea; Syria, N. Korea deny allegations... Venezuelan man wakes up as coroners begin autopsy surgery; no official word on how death certificate was issued, autopsy ordered, on man whose heart, brain were still functioning; Reuters has published images provided by Carlos Camejo to a El Universal newspaper, showing his facial scar and the document ordering his autopsy...